From 1946, NSW planted South African bitou bush to stabilise coastal sand dunes; decades later it had spread along 46% of the state's coastline and threatened native ecosystems
- Representative Image (AI-generated)A plant introduced with a practical purpose along the New South Wales (NSW) coast eventually became a major environmental weed.
- South African bitou bush was deliberately planted along the NSW coastline between 1946 and 1968 to help stabilise sand dunes, according to the NSW Environment and Heritage department.
- The fast-growing shrub later spread rapidly and is now found along 46% of the state's coastline, with some infestations extending up to 10 kilometres inland.
Unverified
- Representative Image (AI-generated)A plant introduced with a practical purpose along the New South Wales (NSW) coast eventually became a major environmental weed.
- South African bitou bush was deliberately planted along the NSW coastline between 1946 and 1968 to help stabilise sand dunes, according to the NSW Environment and Heritage department.
- The fast-growing shrub later spread rapidly and is now found along 46% of the state's coastline, with some infestations extending up to 10 kilometres inland.
Sources: Times of India